CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - 1952/12/11

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
02064609
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
6
Document Creation Date: 
June 6, 2019
Document Release Date: 
June 27, 2019
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 11, 1952
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PDF icon CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULL[15653000].pdf140.73 KB
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A Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 , TOP SRET SECURI NFORMATION 11 December 1952 Copy No. 57 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN 3.5(c) / 3.5(c) DOCUMENT NO NO CHANGE IN CLASS. tle Li DECLASSIFIED CLASS. CHANGED TO: TS .% S _C A NEXT REVIEW DATE. y AUTH: ...AM 70-2 DATE:itWelTREVIEWER: Office of Current Intelligence CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY 'QW-Err--- V ---SMURITY INFORMATION Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 3.5(c) 3.5(c) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 5619/05/28 CO2064609 TSECRET SUMMARY GENERAL 1. 2. Prague trial seen as opening move to influence Arabs (page 3). SOVIET UNION 3, SOUTHEAST ASIA 4. Improvement of Red River supply route to Viet Minh indicated (page 5). NEAR EAST - AFRICA 5, Iranian Government admits inability to control ICashani (page 5). 6. Comment on the abolition of the Egyptian constitution (page 6), * * * * -2 ,.-Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 Tel 0 CRET 3.5(c) GENERAL 2. Prague trial seen as opening move to influence Arabs: The Yugoslav Minister in Damascus is convinced that the injection of anti-Zionism into the recent Prague trial was the opening move in a Soviet campaign to influence and ultimately dominate the Arab states. He believes that Czechoslovakia was selected to spearhead the campaign as the Satellite best prepared to satisfy Arab trading needs, particularly to replace West Germany, now in Arab dis- favor as a result of the reparations agreement with Israel. Comment. Available evidence indicates that the anti-Zionist charges in the Prague trial were intended to "prove" the collaboration of the defendants with an international movement acting in the interests of "American imperialism." - 3 - CRET 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 TC7P RET 3.5(c) It is probable, however, that the Communists will exploit the favorable Arab reaction to the anti-Zionist aspect of the trial to appeal to the Arab bloc. The American Charge in Prague has suggested such an explanation for the Czech Government's recent declaration that the Israeli Minister to Czechoslovakia is persona non grata. SOVIET UNION - 4 - 3.3(h (2) Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 TOP SEET 3.5(c) SOUTHEAST ASIA 4. Improvement of Red River supply route to Viet Minh indicated: 3.3(h)(2) construction is now in progress on an airfield in Yunnan along the Red River about 150 miles northwest of the Indochina border town of Laokay. The French Air Force offi- cer who gave this report also stated he had confirmed information that construction of a new road south-southwest from Mengtzu in China toward the Red River was begun in August. Comment: The Red River enters Indochina near Laokay in northwestern Tonkin. Although some facilities already exist in the Red River area, the majority of Chinese supplies to the Viet Minh enter Tonkin by routes considerably to the east. Improved communications north of Laokay would facilitate the more direct supply of forces in northwest Tonkin, where the Viet Minh has improved its position during this year's cam- paign. NEAR EAST - AFRICA 5. Iranian Government admits inability to control Kashant: - 5 3.3(h)(2) 3.3(h)(2) Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 3.5(c) Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 Comment The indifferent success of a demon- stration called by Kashani in Tehran on the same day to support the Iraqi "struggle against British imperialism" is evidence that Mossadeq still has the upper hand over the mullah. Nevertheless, Kashani is still Mossadeq's greatest rival. 6. Comment on the abolition of the Egyptian constitution: General Nagib's announcement of 9 December abolishing the Egyptian constitution is a significant step in expanding the army group's control of the country. Just prior to abolishing the constitution, the Prime Minister reshuffled and strengthened his cabinet. This action, together with the reported formation of a "national bloc" to sponsor a new constitution, represents an effort by the military to strengthen its position through a popular measure. Nagib apparently hopes to remove the last vestiges of the "corrupt" monarchy and provide a constitutional basis for the regime and its reform program. 3.3(h)(2) 6 3.5(c) TOP RET Approved for Release: 2019/05/28 CO2064609 3.5(c)